Best Bet
1. Seattle Seahawks (-6.5) vs. Tampa Buccaneers
The Seahawks were annihilated vs. the Texans last week yet are the best bet this week. How? Because they’re a much better team at home and are welcoming the 1-12 (0-6 road) Bucs to town. Seattle will control this game offensively and use the legs of Justin Forsett to wear down the Bucs defense late.
Rookie QB Josh Freeman has been a turnover machine the past few weeks and Seattle’s D will capitalize on a few of his mistakes here.
Next In Line
2. Kansas City Chiefs (-2) vs. Cleveland Browns
This is likely the most unwatchable game on the schedule except for those with money on the line… both teams have been horrible lately outside of Cleveland’s upset of the Steelers last Thursday. The Chiefs have suffered offensively during Dwayne Bowe’s absence but he returns on Sunday. This will help out Cassel who’ll have more options in the passing game. The Browns offense is inept as a group and Kansas City is still a difficult place for opponents to play.
3. Baltimore Ravens (-11) vs. Chicago Bears
The Bears season has been a complete wash and Cutler has struggled without the necessary talent surrounding him. They also travel poorly (1-5 on road). The Ravens are still in the thick of the playoff race and we like Baltimore to pour it on this Sunday. Look for a lot of Ray Rice offensively and for the Ravens D to get after Cutler and force him into sacks and turnovers.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (+6.5) vs. San Diego Chargers
See Money Line analysis.
Others We Like
Arizona Cardinals (-12) vs. Detroit Lions
The Cardinals on the road in 2009 have been phenomenal. They’re 5-2 and one of those losses came when Kurt Warner was out. The other came on Monday against the 49ers, who have owned them recently. They’ll get back to their winning ways with a romp in Detroit. Warner and Co. will pick apart the Lions D and Detroit is looking like they’ll be forced to go with Daunte Culpepper at QB.
New Orleans Saints (-7) vs. Dallas Cowboys
This will probably be the last game of the regular season that the Saints get revved up for and look for them to put a show Saturday Night in the Big Easy. No one to date has stopped Drew Brees and Co. at home and the Cowboys won’t be the first. Dallas is also playing on edge after hearing all the “can’t win in December talk” and will lose in by at least 10.
Denver Broncos (-14) vs. Oakland Raiders
The Broncos have laid a few eggs in recent years when hosting the Raiders as big time favorites, but we don’t see that happening again. The main reason is this year’s team has a defense. They’ll get after Charlie Frye and make his life miserable, forcing turnovers and a lot three and outs. On top of that, the offense is playing well and Orton and his skill players are clicking at the right time. Look for a rout on Sunday.
Money Line
Cincinnati Bengals (+220) vs. San Diego Chargers
This game has huge playoff ramifications as the team that wins puts itself in the driver’s seat for the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
Cincinnati will be playing this one with a heavy heart after the death of WR Chris Henry on Thursday.
The Bengals actually play a style of defense which matches up very well against San Diego. The Chargers are excellent at passing the ball but the Bengals feature one of the top rated pass defenses in the NFL. Their CB duo, Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall, is one of the best in the business. The Bengals stop the run fairly well but the Chargers don’t feature much of a ground attack, so expect most of their attention to be on Phillip Rivers.
Offensively, the Bengals have been in a slump but have a chance to get back on track here. Look for them to pound the ball with Cedric Benson as the Chargers still have issues stopping the run. They’re much better than they were earlier in the season but still vulnerable against better running attacks.
In the passing game, look for Palmer to execute a safer attack to Ochocinco, Coles and Caldwell. The Chargers are good at preventing the long ball so we expect more of an underneath passing game.
When it’s all said and done, look for the Bengals, rallying around the death of Chris Henry, to pull out a tough road win.
TheCoach
December 17th, 2009 at 20:02
Return to top
love the picks this week but -14.0 is a little steep for my to be taking Denver… who knows though, after all that is why we gamble!!!
feel free to check out my picks @ http://www.lionsdenu.com/category/sports/nfl-gu...
And best of luck this week!!
regards,
TheCoach
nfldraft
December 28th, 2009 at 04:43
Return to top
Do you want more interesting?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not contacted former NFL Draft coach Bill Cowher about possibly coaching the team in 2010, according to a source close to the team's owners.
An NFL Draft.com report said team officials contacted Cowher.
“That's not true,” a source with knowledge of the Glazer family's intentions told the Tampa Tribune. “That's just people speculating.”
According to a story by An NFL Draft.com reporter Jason La Canfora, Bucs officials reached out to Cowher to gauge his interest in possibly coaching the team in 2010. The story cited “a source with knowledge of the situation.”
nfldraft100
January 27th, 2010 at 22:28
Return to top
Thanks for sharing.I love to blog but only on good subjects.like the hot online shop:NFL Shop.I literally enjoyed the concept described in the post.Keep up the good work!